Questions to ponder – Is the belief in purgatory frightening or comforting? Why? How do I imagine Heaven? Why is the belief in the resurrection of our bodies important? Do you pray for those who have died? How does that prayer impact you? +1

Mary – This chapter is a wonderful and complete apologetic on the Catholic understanding of Mary, the mother of Christ. The subject of Mary is probably one of the most popular when it comes to non-Catholic criticism of our faith. This chapter should give each reader a solid, clear, grounded explanation of how to defend what we believe about Mary – from her queenship, to her role as Mediatrix, to her preservation from sin and Assumption into heaven. We are even treated to brief explanations of how the Church came to understand some of these …Follow this path →

Please share your thoughts and comments on this chapter or the questions below! Why did Jesus establish a church? How would you answer someone who says that it does not matter if you belong to the Catholic Church or attend Mass as long as you are a good person and have faith in Jesus? Do you really see the Church as “catholic” (universal)? The Pittsburgh Diocese is going through the “On Mission for the Church Alive” process which will decrease the number of parishes from over 200 to under 50. Do members often value their …Follow this path →

Please comment on the questions below or any comments you would like to offer on this chapter. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was active, but hidden. In the New Testament, the Spirit is very visible. In my life, is the Holy Spirit’s presence and action, hidden, evident, or not noticed at all? What are evidences of the work of the Holy Spirit in my parish community? What is your favorite symbol of the Holy Spirit? How does that symbol reflect the nature and action of the Holy Spirit? How can I remove the …Follow this path →

Mary – Chapter 5 gives us an in-depth explanation of how and why Jesus’ death on the Cross is a triumph. There are a few important things to ‘take away’ from this chapter. First, we have Jesus as sacrifice. We understand Passover as a meal with historical significance for God’s people, who were spared tragedy by marking their doors with the blood of the sacrificial lamb. At the Last Supper, Jesus introduces what will be the New Covenant with God, where he will become the sacrificial lamb, and HIS blood will save those who believe …Follow this path →

A few questions – What is your understanding of the Kingdom of God? How would you describe it? Have there been people in your life who have modeled discipleship in an exceptional, “all in” way? Who are they? What is their story? What obstacles keep you from putting everything else in this world aside and placing Jesus first? +1

Give us your thoughts about these questions or any other comments on this chapter – Sri states, “because of sin, an infinite chasm was introduced between God and man.” Do you view sin as an “infinite chasm”? The popularity of Angels has increased over the past years. What role do angels play in your life? The book offers, “This is the great drama that has been going on since the dawn of creation: a struggle between good and evil, between the God of love and the “shining one” who wanted to usurp all glory and …Follow this path →

A few questions to ponder – Which Bible stories stick in my memory the most? Why do those stories stand out for me? Has the Church taught things that I find hard to accept? What can I do to reach a better understanding of those teachings? Are there any parts of the Bible that make me feel uncomfortable? Why? …or give us your thoughts on this chapter! +2

The opening thoughts of this chapter speak about the way others view God. While I find it difficult to understand how others arrive at those opinions, I find great peace and joy in the Bible’s offering that “God is love.” As Sri states, “The God who is love created us out of love, and made us for his love.” How blessed!! Sri then delves into the complex understanding that God is a Trinity of love. Fr. Michael Gaitley in his book, The ‘One Thing’ is Three says that if the Trinity were not revealed to …Follow this path →

Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as his itinerary, Edward Sri will walk you through all the important aspects of the Catholic Church—what Catholics believe about God and the difference it should make in life. More than an intellectual enterprise, this work is also a deep spiritual reflection and a practical guide to living out our faith in Christ. It aims to form both the head and the heart, not only helping us to understand Jesus and his plan of salvation, but inspiring us to love God and our neighbor better. We will began …Follow this path →

Edward Sri introduces his work, Love Unveiled, by giving us a powerful reminder of what the Catholic Church stands for. He acknowledges that others may cite alternative opinions, but for him, the Church stand for “the God who is madly in love with you.” That’s the Church and God I want! Sri tells us that God thirsts for us and hungers for our attention. That reality leaves me questioning, “Why?” Here I am this small, sinful creature, on a planet of 7 billion plus other souls, who are a fraction of the 100 billion people …Follow this path →